The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Corporal Ernest W. Birch (ASN: 126023), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Battery D, 5th Field Artillery, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Ansauville, France on 3 March 1918. Corporal Birch voluntarily left his dugout under intense enemy bombardment and, without assistance, rescued a comrade who was lying outside, wounded and exposed to enemy fire.